For avid golf enthusiasts, to bet on golf events has likely been a fantasy. That is unless you live in New Jersey. Or you’re like Billy Walters, a professional sports bettor. You might not have heard it, sports betting is not only legal in the state of New Jersey, but, it’s now available on your smartphone device.
When the Supreme Court ruled in May, to reverse a federal act that prohibited sports betting. It unlocked the door for golfers to stop talking about golf betting in whispers.
Las Vegas bettors have always had this convenience, of using casinos to bet on golf events. However, now there are a few more states that have joined Nevada in launching fully operating sportsbooks.
These include Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi, and West Virginia.
What does that mean?
Bettors can now wager on golf events such as the PGA Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, and PGA Tour Champions. In New Jersey, on the DraftKings app, live betting is available offering bets on every hole, shot by shot, as the action developments.
For those who haven’t dipped their toes in golf betting before, here’s what you need to know.
So how can I bet on golf legally?
Well, first you have to be in the right state, or at least have a friend in the right state. As mentioned above, Delaware, New Jersey, Mississippi, and West Virginia have fully operational sportsbooks at casinos in their states.
Delaware was the first state to accept bets in a state-regulated bookie. New Jersey followed suit with a half dozen of its own. And was the first non-Vegas state to allow online wagering. DraftKings and FanDuel facilitated that in August, via a sportsbook app.
Other states have also approved legislation to allow for casinos to apply for sports-betting licenses. Pennsylvania appears to be very close, with three casinos having applied for licenses already as of the end of September. New York could soon be the next biggest state, with the vote expected on the ballot in early 2019.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island State has signed a law that will allow two casinos to accept in-person bets. But that law explicitly excludes online betting.
Eighteen other states have taken some steps toward legalization, but they are still a long way from legalizing it.